Punishment

‎Chapter 4: Punishment

‎Elias POV

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‎Alessio was on top of me.

‎One knee on either side of my hips. His hands on either side of my head. Cage of muscles and intent.

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‎The mattress dipped under his weight. I couldn't move. Not anywhere that wasn't directly under him.

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‎"Last chance, Elias,“ a threat laced in his voice. "Sleep. Or I show you what happens when you don't obey me.“

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‎My heart hammering against my ribs. His weight pressed me into the mattress. I could smell him. Soap and something darker. Danger.

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‎"I don't sleep on command,“ I said. My voice came out steadier than I thought. Surprising me.

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‎Alessio's mouth twitched. Not quite a smile. Anticipation maybe. "No? Then I'll help you. “

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‎He moved. Fast. Before I could even react, he had my wrist pinned above my head. One hand held both of mine like they were nothing.  His other hand reached over to the nightstand.

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‎Metals clicked. Cold.

‎Handcuffs. Steel. Custom, like everything else he owned.

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‎"Alessio—“

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‎"The first rule,“ his voice came out in a rough grunt, clicking the first cuff around my wrist. "No contact with Roman. You broke it.“

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‎"I didn't text him back—“

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‎"I don't care." Click. Second cuff. My wrist were locked to the headboard now. Arms stretched above me. The position pulled at my stomach. His jaws taut in silence. "You read his message. That's contact.“

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‎I yanked against in cuff. They didn't budge. Just bit into my skin. The head board was solid mahogany.

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‎"Let me go," I said. My voice ragged.

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‎"No.“ Alessio sat back on his heels between my legs. Shirtless.The scar through his eyebrow catching the city lights. He looked like a king judging a traitor.

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‎"Punishment,“ His voice pulled me out of my reverie.

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‎"For what? Reading a text?“. I asked in disbelief.

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‎"For defying me.“ He leaned in. Elbows on both side of my head again. Face inches from mine. A dark glint in his eyes. "I told you what happens when you break my rules."

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‎"What,“ I whispered. Because my mouth was dry.

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‎"I break something of yours in return,“ His eyes dropped to my lips. Then back up at my eyes. "But I'm feeling merciful tonight.“

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‎His hand came up. Not to hit me. I flinched anyway. He noticed. His lips twitched again.

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‎His thumb brushed against my jaw tilting it up. His gaze burning holes into my face. His thumb was rough.

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‎"You will stay cuffed all night,“his voice drawled out in a growl.  "Under me. That's your punishment for disobedience.“

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‎"All night? I pulled at the cuffs again. Stupid. They just hurt more. "That's—“

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‎"Torture?“ Alessio finished. "Yes.“ His thumb dragged over my bottom lips roughly. "Get used to it. You belong to me now. My rules. My bed. My time.“

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‎He layed down beside me. Not releasing the cuffs.

‎Just settled in, one arm draped around my waist, holding me the in place. His chest was warm against my back. His breath stirred heat against my neck.

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‎"Sleep,“ he ordered, arms tightening around my waist.

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‎"I can't sleep like this," I said through gritted teeth.

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‎"Then don't sleep.“ His voice was amused. "I didn't say the punishment had to be comfortable.“

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‎Hours passed. Or minutes. Time stretched weirdly when you are tied to a man like him.

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‎The city was buzzing outside. Inside, all I could hear was his breathing. Steady. Unbothered. While all I could feel was the steel around my wrists and his arms caging me.

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‎My shoulders starting to ache from being stretched up. I shifted. The cuffs clinked.

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‎Alessio's arm tightened around my waist pulling me closer. "Stop moving.“ his voice hoarse. Sleep-heavy.

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‎"You are crushing me.“

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‎"I'm holding you,“ he corrected. "There's a difference.“

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‎"Not to me.“

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‎Alessio was quiet for a long time. For a second I thought he had fallen asleep. But it proved to be naut.

‎"Why did you read his message?“

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‎"Because I'm not a dog you can lock in a room and expect to ignore the world.“ My eyes rolled inwardly.

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‎"Good,“ his said. "Dogs are boring. You fight back. That's why I chose you.“

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‎I turned my head to look at him in the dark. He was staring straight at the ceiling. His face blank. His grip around me was like iron.

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‎"You didn't choose me,“ I said. "You trapped me.“

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‎Alessio head turned to me. His eyes meeting mine. Dark eyes intimidating. " I waited six months for you to have nothing left but me.That's not a trap Elias. That's patience.”

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‎The words hit harder than the cuffs. My body frozen. Dread filling my body.

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‎Six months.

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‎Six months ago I still had a job. An apartment and a life.

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‎"You were watching me,“ I said. Not asking a question.

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‎"Always,“ he admitted. Not a hint of guilt in his voice. Like it was normal. "When your firm fired you. When your rent was late. When you walked into my office tonight. I was watching.“

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‎My stomach dropped. "You planned this.“

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‎"I planned for you " he corrected. Making it seem like he had done me a favor.

‎"Roman wants to own you. I want to choose me. Even if I have to break you first.“

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‎His hand slid under my shirt. Palm flat against my stomach. His palm warm against my cold body making me flinch a little. His hand was huge. It covered half of my torso.

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‎"You can hate me,“ his murmured against my hair.

‎"You can fight me. You can try to run. Never forget you're are mine, Elias. You will obey my rules.“

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‎"And if I don't,“

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‎Alessio's hand tightened on my stomach. Strong enough making me wince in pain. His fingers dug in.

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‎"Then I stop being merciful,“ he said softly. But not making me assured cause I know he could do worse. "And you really will learn what punishment means.“

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‎I felt drowsy and sleep came eventually. Fitful, with his arm around me and steel at my wrist.

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‎———

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‎I woke to sunlight and an empty bed devoid of warmth. I stretched my body instinctively. My hands moved along with it.

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‎Startled I sat up in a hurry, noticing my hands felt free. I looked down at my wrist to see the cuffs were gone.

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‎My wrists were red with slight bruises on them.

‎On the nightstand sat a plain black box. Which looked a little out of place. Peeking inside, what I saw was a phone which probably cost half a year of my salary.

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‎Picking it up to check. It had only one contact saved on it.

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‎Alessio - Do Not Answer Anyone Else.

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‎Under it, a note in his handwriting:

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‎The first rule still stands. Next time, I'll cuff your ankles too.

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‎The door opened and Alessio walked in. Fully dressed now. Polished suit, he looked intimidating. Like the man from the interview. Except now I knew what was under the suit.

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‎"Breakfast," he said. Adjusting his cufflinks. "Then the books."

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‎I rubbed my wrist trying to ease the pain from being cuffed all night. I looked at phone. Then at him.

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‎"You think cuffing me will make me obey,"I scoffed.

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‎Alessio smirked. Slow. Like a predator watching his prey. which made me uncomfortable. Leaning down close to my face. I could smell his cologne.

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‎"No,“ his voice in a low whisper. "I think you'll obey because you want. You just don't know it yet.“

‎His words made me shift uncomfortably on the bed.

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‎He turned to leave.

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‎The phone buzzed besides me again. Another text from the unknown number.

Well not like I knew who it was since it's a new phone.

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‎The text said:

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‎He likes it when you struggle. Don't let him break you. – R

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‎Alessio halted in his steps. Didn't turn around. which made me scared, cause I knew he heard the notification ping.

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‎I saw his shoulder go rigid.

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‎"Elias,“ he said, voice low with a hint of danger. "Come here.“

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